Overview

• Qatar-mediated talks produced a signed agreement to establish an oversight mechanism for a potential permanent ceasefire, confirmed by Kinshasa and by M23 spokespeople.
• The monitoring body will include representatives from Congo, M23 and the 12-country ICGLR, with the African Union, Qatar and the United States participating as observers.
• MONUSCO will take part as an additional participant to provide logistical coordination, a role the rebels had previously opposed as too operational.
• The mechanism is mandated to investigate alleged ceasefire violations and is expected to convene within seven days of its creation.
• Progress toward a comprehensive peace accord still hinges on a prisoner exchange agreed in September but not executed, as the U.N. envoy reports the truce is being violated and displacement continues to rise.